Baby bottle holder and tether system

ABSTRACT

This apparatus provides a means by and through which a children&#39;s bottle or sip cup can be secured to structural components, such as car seat headrest, utilizing a bottle holder, a tether, and a clip. The bottle holder is comprised of a flexible, insulating material that securely fits around said bottle in such a manner that it cannot be easily extracted by a child. Furthermore, the bottle holder helps maintain desired temperature of the liquid within the bottle through the utilization of insulating materials. The tether can be adjusted to variable desired lengths. The tether has attached to it, a clip with easily and quickly secures to many different structural components. The clip can be easily removed as well. The invention allows a child to drop or throw a bottle or cup without misplacing the bottle or cup. The caretaker or child simply grabs the tether which has the bottle or cup securely attached.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Patent Documents 5,147,384 September, 1992 LaRocca 606/2345,613,657 March, 1997 Olaiz 248/102 5,727,842 March, 1998 O'Neil297/188.06 5,927,661 July, 1999 Tinsley, et al. 248/102 6,138,882October, 2001 Buettner 224/250 6,250,592 June, 2001 Davis 248/1026,606,768 August, 2003 Henry et al.  24/306 6,811,065 November, 2004Brady 224/311

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENTIAL LISTING,” A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAMLISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Technical Field of Invention

The technical field of this invention relates to the means by whichbottles, particularly those used by babies, infants or children, can besecured to structural components in such a fashion as to not allow thebottles to get away from either the caretaker of the child or the childitself. More particularly, this invention facilitates the secureattachment of the bottle to objects such as the headrest of a vehicle ina quick and easy fashion by use of a tether. Furthermore, the bottleholder itself is manufactured from insulating type materials that aid intemperature preservation of the contents of the bottle or cup.

(2) Description of Prior Art

There are many products currently on the market or items that havereceived patent protection that pertain in an ancillary fashion to babybottles and sip cups. Several of these inventions have attempted tosecure the bottle to either the child, a child seat or another inanimateobject by use of a harness or tether. While some of the prior art hasbeen successful in accomplishing their stated goals, unfortunately manyof these inventions lack utility beyond a limited range of field. Theymay perform one function relatively well while neglecting otherfunctions altogether. The stated functions they claim to perform can beaccomplished in a more novel and functional manner. This inventionaddresses some of the shortcomings of prior inventions while addressingcurrently unmet needs by any other invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus that acts to secure a baby bottleor cup to structural components through the use of a tether, a bottleholder, and a clip or fastener. The invention also utilizes a flexibleinsulating material in forming the holder of the bottle or cup. Thismaterial fits securely around the bottle or cup in such a manner as towhere bottle or cup cannot be removed without sufficient force. Theinsulating material acts to maintain the temperature of the liquid inthe container, be it hot or cold. A tether is securely attached to thedrink holder. On the opposite end of the tether, a clip or fastener isattached. This clip or fastener provides a quick and sturdy means bywhich the invention can be attached to various structural components.

The three central components of the invention are the flexibleinsulating bottle holder, the attached tether, and the accompanying clipor fastener. One of the central uses of the apparatus is within anautomobile, although this is certainly not the only use. Frequently whena child is in his or her child seat, which is placed on the backseat ofa vehicle, the child will drink a beverage from a bottle or children'ssip cup. All too often, the child will drop or throw the bottle andneither the caretaker/driver of the vehicle nor the child has anyability to pick the bottle back up. Many times, the bottle hits thefloor and rolls around making it difficult to even locate the bottle.This invention alleviates this problem as well as several otherpotential problems.

The child's bottle or cup is placed within the bottle holder, which hasattached to it a tether and a clip or fastener. The preferred clip orfastener is a spring clip or carabiner clip. This clip is then attachedto one of several available places within the vehicle. It can beattached to one of the posts of the headrest of either the driver or thefront seat passenger. It can be clipped to the interior conveniencehandle above one the rear seat doors.

When the bottle is placed within the holder and the clip is securely inplace within the vehicle or on another structural component, the childmay drop the bottle freely without fear or frustration. The bottle willalways be no further distance away than the end of the tether. Thechild's caretaker can simply grab the tether, retrieve the bottle andgive it back to the child if they desire.

The essential components of this invention serve several differentfunctions and can be manufactured in varying specifications to meet thespecific needs of the user or producer and still achieve the samedesired result. First, the flexible, insulating bottle or cup holder canbe manufactured from several different materials. One embodiment of theholder is a form fitting model in which the bottle or cup slidessecurely within. This embodiment has vertical sides forming a cylinderwith a bottom. It will be manufactured to meet the average sizedimensions of bottles or cups used by children. The preferred materialis neoprene or some type of foam. This is preferred because of theflexible and insulating characteristics of these materials. However, theholder can certainly be manufactured of other like materials.

Another embodiment of the holder utilizes the same materials andcylindrical shape, but also adds a zipper or velcro seam for ease ofintroduction of the bottle within the holder. This seam, whether it isconnected with a zipper, velcro, or buttons, will run vertically up theedge of the wall of the holder. The user will simply open this seam andplace the bottle or cup inside the holder and fasten the seam by theavailable means utilized, be it a zipper, velcro or otherwise.

The tether is attached to the holder through a secure means. If theholder utilizes a seam and fastener approach as described above, thetether will be attached to the holder on the opposite vertical wall. Thetether can be attached to the holder through one of many availablemeans. One such embodiment is to sew the tether to the holder. Anotherembodiment is to secure a D-Shaped loop to the holder and hook thetether to this loop by running one end of the tether through the loopand sewing the tether to itself, thus wrapping the tether around theD-Shaped loop.

The tether is manufactured from an elongated fabric. The fabric utilizedfor the tether can be elastic or inelastic. One potential and preferredembodiment of the tether is adjustable length. This is accomplished withthe addition of a slip or adjustment buckle at some point within thelength of the tether. Different lengths may be required for differentuses or different situations. This allows the user to customize thelength of the tether to fit the need of said user.

On the opposite end of the tether from the holder is the clip andfastening device. Once again, the invention is not limited to anyparticular clip or securing device, although a preferred embodiment isavailable. The preferred embodiment utilizes a carabiner clip, alsoknown as a spring clip, to attach the invention to various structures.The carabiner clip provides a fast, easy and sturdy method for securingthe invention to structures. The carabiner clip also allows the user toeasily remove the invention from the structure when necessary.

The tether is attached to the carabiner clip, or other securing means ina similar fashion to its attachment through the D-Loop as describedabove. The tether is looped through the clip and folded back on itself.It is then either sewn in place or secured in place by any other propermeans. The fabric from which the tether is derived must be of sufficientstrength to support force applied to it without the sewn portionsripping through or away.

This invention is useful because it allows the caretaker or a childpeace of mind with reference to bottles or cups that are frequentlydropped or thrown by children. The caretaker of the child will alwaysknow where the bottle or cup is even if said bottle is temporarily outof sight. The invention in no way interferes with the child's use of thebottle or cup. Furthermore, the insulating material utilized in theholder helps maintain the desired temperature of the beverage within.The invention secures quickly to many structures such as the posts of acar seat headrest. It is removed just as quickly. When a bottle or cupis dropped, the user simply grabs the tether to grab the bottle which isattached. The tether can be manufactured to be of adjustable length tomeet the particular needs of the user within the space inhabited orutilized, whether in a motor vehicle or otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. illustrates the invention, and its many facets, including theflexible insulating holder, the tether, and the clip attached to theheadrest of a vehicle.

FIG. 2. illustrates the holder without a seam.

FIG. 3. illustrates the holder while utilizing a zipper or Velcroopening on one vertical edge.

FIG. 4. Illustrates the attachment of the tether to the holder utilizinga D-Loop.

FIG. 5. Illustrates the attachment of the tether to the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through 5, the present invention is an apparatusthat functions to secure a baby bottle or cup (28) to structuralcomponents through the use of a tether (21), a bottle holder (20), and aclip or fastener (22). The invention serves several purposes, includingbut not limited to, the ability to secure a baby bottle or cup (28) tostructural components so that said bottles or cups (28) maybe locatedquickly and efficiently. As a secondary function, the insulatingmaterial from which the holder (20) is comprised serves to maintain thetemperature of the substance contained inside the bottle (28).Furthermore, the invention in no may hinders the use of the bottle (28)by the child.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a child's bottle or cup (28) is placedsecurely within the bottle holder (20). The preferred embodiment of theholder (20) is comprised of a flexible, insulating material. Theflexible, insulating bottle or cup holder (20) can be manufactured fromseveral different materials. One embodiment of the holder (20) is a formfitting model in which the bottle or cup slides securely within. Thisembodiment has vertical sides forming a cylinder with a bottom. It willbe manufactured to meet the average size dimensions of bottles or cupsused by children. The preferred material is neoprene or some type offoam. This is preferred because of the flexible and insulatingcharacteristics of these materials. However, the holder (20) cancertainly be manufactured of other like materials. Another embodiment ofthe holder (20) utilizes the same materials and cylindrical shape, butalso adds a vertical opening or seam (24) secured and closed by a zipperor velcro or a combination of the two for ease of introduction of thebottle (28) within the holder (20). This seam (24), whether it isconnected with a zipper, velcro, or buttons, will run vertically up theedge of the wall of the holder (20). The user will simply open this seam(24) and place the bottle or cup (28) inside the holder (20) and fastenthe seam (24) by the available means utilized, be it a zipper, velcro orotherwise. This feature provides for the accommodation of bottles orcups (28) of uncommon size or shape as is the case with many of thetypical child bottles or cups (28) on the market today. The holder (20)can be custom manufactured to the various specifications of bottles orcups (28) utilizing either the form fitting model or the seam version.

Referring to FIG. 1 through 4, the holder (20) is attached by a D-shapedloop (26) via an attachment means (29) to a tether (21). The tether (21)can also actually be sewn (25) to the holder directly (20) if desiredinstead of utilizing the D-shaped loop (26). If the D-shaped loop (26)and attachment means (29) is utilized, the loop (26) will be sewn (25)with appropriate strength material to the holder in such a fashion as toallow for pivotal movement above an axis of rotation, allowing the loopto move freely side to side. The D-shaped loop (26) shall bemanufactured out of plastic, aluminum, metal or another appropriatesubstance. If the holder (20) is manufactured with a seam (24), theD-shaped loop is preferably attached to the opposite side of the holder(20) from the seam (24). The attachment means (29) of the tether (21)essentially provides for the tether (21) to be wrapped around theD-shaped loop (26) and sewn (25) to itself in an appropriate manner withsufficient strength. The tether (21) is comprised of an elongated fabricor like substance and can be either elastic of inelastic. The length ofthe tether (21) should be sufficient to reach from the head rest orother structural component within a vehicle to the placement area of achild's seat within a vehicle. The tether can be designed to utilize aslip or adjustment buckle (27) to facilitate adjustment of length. Thisbuckle (27) should be placed on the tether (21) in a location thatallows for adjustment without interference with other functions of theinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the tether (21) shall be connected onits opposite end via another like attachment means (29) to a clip orfastener (22). The preferred embodiment is a carabiner clip (22),although other clips or fasteners can also be utilized effectively. Thisclip (22) can me manufactured from various materials such as aluminum,metal or plastic. The preferred embodiment is manufacture of the clip(22) from a strong substance or material such as aluminum. Aluminum islight-weight yet strong and able to handle strain when placed aroundother metal objects such as headrest posts. The clip (22) allows forquick attachment and removal, yet is secure when in place. The clip (22)will preferably be of sufficient diameter to accommodate connection tovarious headrest posts and other handles and objects such as variousstructural components of baby cribs or beds. As with the connection tothe D-shaped loop (26), the tether (21) can be wrapped around the clip(22) and sewn (25) upon itself for a sturdy attachment means (29). Onceagain, the materials utilized, including the material of the tether (21)itself, should be of sufficient strength to withstand appropriate forcewithout structural failure.

Referring to FIG. 1 through 5, the invention improves upon any currentapparatus on the market in facilitating location of cups or bottles (28)by the parent or caretaker of a child, whether the child is in a vehicleor in a baby bed or somewhere else. The invention takes up minimal spacewhen in use or not in use.

DRAWINGS

The drawings referenced in this application are attached hereto.

1. A baby bottle or sip cup holder and tether apparatus comprising: aflexible thermal insulating bottle holder contoured to surround andconform to the shape of the average baby bottle, sip cup or otherappropriate beverage container; a tether attached at one end to thebottle holder by a proper securing means; and a clip or fastenerattached to the opposite end of the tether from the bottle holderfacilitating the attachment of the apparatus to a structural component.2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the flexible thermal insulatingmaterial comprises neoprene.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:the flexible thermal insulating material comprises foam.
 4. Theapparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the baby bottle or sip cup holder hasan opening or seam running vertically on the side of the holder from thetop of the holder to a point on the side of the holder necessary tofacilitate improved access of beverage containers.
 5. The apparatus asin claim 4, wherein: the bottle or cup holder has a zipper attachedvertically on one side facilitating a closing means for the verticalopening or seam on the side of the holder.
 6. The apparatus as in claim4, wherein: the bottle or cup holder has a velcro component attachedvertically on one side facilitating a closing means for the verticalopening or seam on the side of the holder.
 7. The apparatus as in claim4, wherein: the bottle or cup holder primarily closed and secured by azipper and secondarily closed by a velcro cover component or flapfacilitating a closing means for the vertical opening or seam on theside of the holder.
 8. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: the bottleor cup holder has snaps attached vertically on one side facilitatingclosure of the vertical opening or seam on the side of the holder. 9.The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the tether having a generallyelongated body comprised of a fabric material durably sewn at one end tothe bottle holder
 10. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the tetheris of an adjustable length.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:the tether forms a loop around the clip or fastener at one end an issewn securely around the clip or fastener.
 12. The apparatus as in claim1, wherein: the tether is attached to a D-loop or like means which isdurably attached to the holder by a proper securing means allowing forpivotal movement about an access of rotation between the D-loop and theholder.
 13. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the clip or fasteneris comprises a carabiner clip of sufficient diameter to attach tovarious structural components.
 14. A method of utilizing the baby bottleor sip cup holder and tether apparatus, comprising the steps of: placinga baby bottle, sip cup or other appropriate beverage container withinthe bottle holder and securing the proper closer means if an embodimenthaving the vertical opening or seam is utilized; securing the clip orfastener to an appropriate structure such as a headrest post; adjustingthe length of the tether to an appropriate length such that the personpartaking of the beverage and that person's caretaker, if appropriate,can easily access the invention and the beverage container within theinvention.